Chubb Returns Stolen Norman Rockwell Painting 40 Years After Theft
More than 40 years after the theft of Norman Rockwell’s Boy Asleep with Hoe – also known as Lazy Bones or Taking a Break – the painting has been returned to the family of its original owners following a ceremony with Chubb and the FBI in Philadelphia, Penn.
Stolen from the Grant family’s Cherry Hill, N.J., home in 1976, the family submitted a claim to Chubb, their insurance provider at the time. Upon claim payment, Chubb acquired the painting’s title.
“The theft of Boy Asleep with Hoe remained one of the art world’s greatest mysteries for over four decades,” said Fran O’Brien, senior vice president of Chubb Group and division president of North America Personal Risk Services, in a press release. “In partnership with the FBI, we’re pleased to return it to the Grant family.”
According to recent news stories, the value of the recovered painting is estimated to be between $600,000 to $1,000,000, which is significantly more than its value at the time of the theft.
The Grant family returned the claims payment to Chubb in exchange for the painting. Chubb will donate the funds to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass.
Stockbridge was Rockwell’s home for more than 25 years, where he created some of his most iconic work.
Source: Chubb